By Brian Rippey
Reading Eagle

Fifty years of officiating have taken Fred Richardson across the country.

But as applause rained down on Richardson, who received the Meritorious Official award from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum in 2010, on Saturday night in Reading High's Geigle Complex, he realized where he is appreciated and respected the most - at home.

"There's probably no greater feeling," said Richardson. "You're humble because you know that people appreciate what you've done. And for it to happen where you grew up and went to school, you've got to feel great about that."

Richardson was honored Saturday night at his alma mater prior to the start of the finals of the BCIAA Individual Wrestling Tournament. He was surrounded by wrestlers, coaches, fans and other officials whose lives he has touched during his half-century on the mat.

As Richardson's biography was being read, fans stood and their applause drowned out the announcer because most were well aware of what Richardson has meant to wrestling in Berks County, Pennsylvania and across the nation.

"That right there is when you know it was all worth it," Richardson said. "It's a feeling that you have to witness yourself. There's really no words to describe it."

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